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A Hawaii Lifestyle Blog + Travel Blog By Kait Hanson

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Keeping Your Pet Safe During Natural Disasters

Pets · September 21, 2017 · 16 Comments

It is heartbreaking to me all of the natural disasters that have been happening recently. First Houston, then Florida, now Mexico and Puerto Rico. It seems like each time, the damage is worse and the devastation keeps coming. I’m an animal lover, so I can’t help but think about all the injured and abandoned pets. Each time an animal-related storm story would pop up on Facebook, I couldn’t help but click. All of it is so, so awful.

How Can We Save Our Pets In Natural Disasters?

One story sticks in my mind is during the flooding in Houston, a dog shelter was in desperate need of helping evacuate their animals and the use of social media to get people to help was AMAZING. I can’t help but think about how scared these poor animals were as the waters continued to rise and life around them became chaotic. 

What Do You Do With Pets In An Emergency?

Thinking about how Dane and I would help Judy + Bill during a natural disaster makes me so anxious. Living on an island is great until a natural disaster (or worse) happens and thousands of people are in total panic mode scrambling for their lives. In an effort to help ease my own internal anxiety, I’ve put together an easy checklist of steps you can take to prepare you and your pet in case a natural disaster, or other emergency, happens.

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Natural Disasters - Communikait by Kait HansonPhoto: Jonathan Bachman / Reuters

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Natural Disasters

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Natural Disasters - Emergency Checklist For Pets - Communikait by Kait HansonPawscout Tags | c/o Pawscout

Pets + Natural Disasters – Transportation

Do you have something your pet can fit in for transportation? Or a kennel that is portable? We have two XL kennels for Judy + Bill that are airline approved just in case we would ever have to use them. We also keep the “dog towels” and other dog-related supplies (shampoo, brushes, etc) in one area of our house that is accessible.

Pets + Natural Disasters – Proper Identification

Is your pet microchipped with up-to-date information? Do they have a collar with updated information? We recently learned about Pawscout, which is a new form of pet identification that combines technology and tags. The Pawscout tag works by communicating with your smartphone and using a low radio Bluetooth signal that is embedded within the tag. If your pet becomes displaced, anyone using the app can view your profile and contact information that you provide. Why Pawscout if you already have tags and/or a microchip? In an emergency, finding a microchip scanner may not be feasible and tags easily go out of date and don’t give details on how to care for your pet if he or she is found. Plus, neither microchips nor traditional tags provide real-time tracking to find your pet or to alert you regarding his/her movements. I also really like that it’s not big or bulky – just a round black disk that can be slipped onto the collar or worn traditionally like a tag – plus, the map feature within the app allows you to tag local veterinarians, groomers, shelters, or pet-friendly restaurants, stores, or parks. More info and purchasing details can be found here if you’re interested.

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Natural Disasters - Emergency Checklist For Pets - Communikait by Kait Hanson

Pets + Natural Disasters – Emergency Contacts

If an evacuation is imminent and friends or family aren’t an option, you’re going to need to go somewhere that is pet friendly. Even in emergencies, not all shelters and hotels are able to take pets. The following websites and phone numbers are helpful in finding safe spaces for everyone.

www.bringfido.com or 877-411-FIDO

www.dogfriendly.com or 888-281-5170

www.doginmysuitcase.com or 8880254-0637

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Natural Disasters - Emergency Checklist For Pets - Communikait by Kait Hanson

Pets + Natural Disasters – Supplies

If an evacuation is imminent, you’ll want to make sure you have a bag of supplies for your pet, too. The CDC recommends:
  • Food (in airtight waterproof containers or cans) and water for at least 2 weeks for each pet
  • Food and water bowls and a manual can opener
  • For cats: litter box and litter
  • For dogs: plastic bags for poop
  • Clean-up items for bathroom accidents (paper towels, plastic trash bags, bleach-containing cleaning agent)
  • Medications for at least 2 weeks, along with any treats used to give the medications and pharmacy contact for refills
  • Medical records
    • Rabies vaccination certificate
    • Current vaccination record
    • If your pet has a microchip, a record of the microchip number
    • Prescription for medication(s)
    • For cats, most recent FeLV/FIV test result or vaccination date
    • Summary of pertinent medical history; ask your veterinarian for a copy
  • Sturdy leashes or harnesses
  • Carrier or cage that is large enough for your pet to stand comfortably and turn around; towels or blankets
  • Pet toys and bed (familiar items to help the pet[s] feel more comfortable).
  • A handout containing identification information (in the event you get separated from your pet)
    • Current photo of pet
    • Pet’s descriptive features (age, sex, neutered/non-neutered status, color(s), and approximate weight)
    • Microchip number
    • Owner contact information (cell phone, work phone, home phone)
    • Contact information of a close relative or friend

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Natural Disasters - Emergency Checklist For Pets - Communikait by Kait Hanson

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Natural Disasters - Emergency Checklist For Pets - Communikait by Kait HansonAs pet owners, we can’t prepare for every possible scenario and, of course, they’re called emergencies for a reason, but even just thinking about what you might do or how you might handle a situation can be helpful in the long run. Realistically, I hope that no one ever has to use this post, but the reality is that natural disasters can happen at any time, in any place and it’s better to be prepared than not.

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Kait Hanson, author of Communikait, a travel blog & Hawaiian lifestyle blog
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I'm Kait, the creative behind Communikait, a travel blog & Hawaiian lifestyle blog packed with loads of color and designed to inspire you to live your very best life. Whether you've come for recipes, travel ideas, photos of Hawaii or to simply say hello - I'm glad you're here!

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